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Those aged 25 to 34 were the most passionate separatists – with just under three quarters backing independence. But those aged over-55 were split two-to-one in favour of No.

Ipsos MORI interviewed 991 over-16s in Scotland by telephone yesterday and the day before.

In a survey published by the same pollsters yesterday - among those who said that they are ‘absolutely certain’ to vote tomorrow – 49 per cent said they intended to vote No, with 47 per cent backing independence. Five per cent remained undecided.

Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos MORI, said: ‘These results confirm the picture from other polls before polling day – the referendum looks extremely close, and although No seems to have a small lead much will depend on turnout on the day.

'Meanwhile there is a clear difference in the motivations for voters on the two camps – Yes voters saying they are motivated more by hope for the future if their side wins, while No voters say fear for the future if the No side loses has been more important to their vote.'

Polling booths opened across the country at 7am this morning, with turnout expected to hit 90 per cent

Piper Ryan Rendall, 30, outside the polling station at East Neighbourhood Centre in Craigmillar, Edinburgh, today

Polling booths opened at 7am this morning for fifteen hours of voting which will decide the future of the UK.

The historic result will be announced tomorrow morning after all-night counts across Scotland of about four million votes.

US President Barack Obama intervened again for the union side, posting a signed tweet on his White House account which read: ‘The UK is an extraordinary partner for America and a force for good in an unstable world. I hope it remains strong, robust and united.’

But tennis star Any Murray, who has for weeks refused to take sides, came off the fence in a tweet saying: ‘Let’s do this!’

He said he had been turned away from the ‘No’ campaign because of its ‘negativity’.

He wrote: ‘Huge day for Scotland today! No campaign negativity last few days totally swayed my view on it. excited to see the outcome. lets [sic] do this!’

Scotland divided: How women, the elderly and the middle classes are set to block independence

The independence campaign is set to go down to the wire today - with the public split down the middle over whether to stay in the UK or become 'an independent country'.

But the debate has divided the country into distinct camps battling for Scotland's future.

Polls have consistently shown that women, pensions, the middle classes - and Britons born outside Scotland comfortably in favour of the Union.

Middle-aged men and the working classes meanwhile are strongly in favour of independence. Here MailOnline reveals the fault lines in Scottish society as the nation goes to the polls today.

The over 60s back staying in the UK but, taken together, the rest of Scottish society supports independence

While backing independence the working class are more concerned about the impact on their finances of leaving the union

Scots themselves are split on independence - but Britons living in Scotland favour staying in the Union

Most of the country is narrowly split in favour of the union - apart from the central belt and region west of Glasgow